Description:

Discusses advanced topics related to imaging and non-imaging procedures. Topics include hematology and immunology, laboratory techniques in nuclear medicine, Schilling test, H. pylori breath testing, blood volume determination, bone densitometry, radioimmunotherapy, and advanced nuclear neurology. Prerequisite: Acceptance into program.

Outcomes:

After completing this class, students should be able to:

• Describe the components of human blood, the workings of the immune system, and the structure and manufacture of antibodies.
• Briefly describe the techniques of radioimmunoassay and the Schilling test.
• Describe the performance of non-imaging nuclear medicine techniques including Helicobactor pylori breath test, the Schilling test, blood volume tests and erythrocyte survival and sequestration.
• Explain the principles and performance of bone densitometry, factors affecting test results, and the meaning of the results.
• Discuss the application of nuclear medicine techniques to imaging of malignant breast tumors and neurotransmitter systems in the brain.
• Outline the use of radioimmunotherapy for lymphoma with I-131 tositumomab and Y-90 ibritumomab tiexetan.
• Dissect, explain, and critically analyze a clinical research article on a nuclear medicine technique.